MANILA, Philippines — Tony and Olivier Award-winning performer Lea Salonga has confirmed that she and her husband, American businessman Robert Charles Chien, have separated after more than two decades together.
Salonga addressed the matter in a media interview, saying the separation has been in place for some time and that the two remain on good terms. The couple, who married in 2004, share a 19-year-old son, Nic, and continue to support him together.
“Yeah, we're (Nic) both busy, but thankfully, the dad and dad's partner are the ones kind of...‘may sipon ka? here. Let's send you food. Let's make sure that you're well.’ So, yes, yes, it's not a secret I have yeah, we've been separated for a while, and now he's happy, and I'm happy that he's happy,” Salonga said in an interview with TV5’s MJ Marfori.
Currently, Salonga is part of the “Les Misérables: The World Tour Spectacular” playing the role of Madame Thénardier. The Manila leg opened on Jan. 20 until March 1.
Chien is the managing director of an entertainment software company and is of Chinese and Japanese heritage. He and Salonga were introduced by his cousin, Christine Yasunaga, while Salonga was performing in the musical Flower Drum Song in Los Angeles. Chien proposed in July 2002, and the couple married on Jan. 10, 2004, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.
Nic Chien, 19, is following in his mother’s footsteps as a performer. He is an actor and singer and is set to appear as Moritz in a Manila production of “Spring Awakening,” which opens in Feb. 13.
Salonga did not provide further details about the separation but emphasized that mutual respect and support remain central to their relationship as parents.